Alone in the Dark

I hate to be scared, don't you? Some love the adrenylin rush from the fear, but I would rather get it another way. Unfortunately, Saturday was one of those times the adrenylin rush was coming straight from the pit of fear. I had worked a very hard shift at the hospital and I was so glad to finally be able to go home. I had driven my husband's Nissan pickup to work. He had errands to run with our children so he would need the bigger car. If you know anything about little straight shift Nissan pickup trucks, then you know that it will do good to hold 2 people.

His truck is always faithful to run and get you anywhere you need to go. On it's last tune up the mechanic said that the engine had plenty of life left in it. The truck is 11 yrs. old. While the engine is faithful, other things are not as faithful. We just replaced a headlight, and the door locks seem to be having some problems. My husband has not been able to unlock the driver's door with the key in a while, and now the passenger side lock is sticking too.

Okay, can you see where I'm headed? It's late, around 7:30 in the evening, and I'm in a back parking lot at the hospital.....alone. Not a good position to be in. My fellow employees have left, and the next shift is hard at work inside. With it being a weekend, and staffing cuts, there are no employees around, and certainly no security patroling. I try the driver's door, but I know it won't open more than likely, it's the one that hasn't opened in a long while. And of course, no luck. So I walk around the truck to the passenger side, feeling in my heart that it will open and 'life will be good'. No luck! Oh boy.........what now? I try, and try, and try again......nothing! I put my jacket and purse........and my full lunch box (I didn't even have time to eat lunch at work) in the back of the truck and begin to do the 'key dance'. You know, jiggle it to the left, then the right, then up, then down, hold tight pressure on the key, hold light pressure, pull on the door handle, release the door handle..............notta, nothing. I can feel that prickly feeling start to run up the back of my neck, my chest starts to feel warm, and my heart begins to pick up speed. I look around, no one is to be found.

Thank God for cell phones!! I quickly call my husband and ask him for the inside trick on how to get into the truck. His answer.................typical male............. "just keep trying the key, maybe it will open." Uh, thanks hon, I'm alone in this dark, scary parking lot, completely worn out, and now hungry since I've eaten nothing all day, and your best advise is to 'try the key'??? What else can he do, though..........really? That's all he can say. Now my mind is starting to turn faster with ideas.............women, you know what I mean! I begin playing all the scenerios in my head. What if someone sees me and grabs me, what if I have to have my husband drive all the way here to pick me up, that'll be at least 20 minutes. What if..... What if..... What if.....

Okay self, calm down!! I whisper a little prayer.........something like, "Jesus, please help me." And, while my husband holds on the line I keep trying the key. A warm breeze begins to blow.........and not outside, I'm talking about the one in my soul! I've been studying in Joshua, and the Lord brought something back into my mind. He began to say....what if....... you trust in ME! I remembered where God told Joshua, just after Moses had died, and he was to lead the people of Israel into the promised land. He said, "....I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." Oh, I like those spiritual breezes! The panic that was beginning to rear its ugly head, had to take a step back! God also told Joshua, "Have I not commanded thee? Be strong and of good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee withersoever thou goest." Could it be? YES, my Heavenly Father is right there with me in that lonely dark parking lot!!!

Something seemed to say, 'go try that driver's door again'. It certainly wasn't my husband, he was silent on the phone, wanting to help, but he couldn't. I didn't question the advise, after all, my Heavenly Father was on the scene! I ran over to the driver's side, and inserted the key...nothing. It won't even try to turn. At least the other side wiggles some. I just kept trying and........pop! The door unlocked and I gladly told my husband that I was headed home!!!

Was it just good luck, was it just a chance, or a coincidence? No way! God was faithful to His Word, and He took care of me...........I give Him all the praise and the glory!!! If I let myself think about all that could have happened to me........it's scary! But God was with me the whole time protecting me.........and then opening the lock for me! I could feel a protective arm around my shoulders as I concentrated on opening the door. He said He'd be with us where ever we go.......and He is! My friends were gone, they couldn't help, no one else was available, my husband was limited by distance and could only give support over the phone. Isn't it so wonderful to know that no matter where you are, just call out His name and He will be there! Let me tell you, the ride home was a sweet one!

Next time you are alone in the dark...............just call out His name........somewhere in the shadows, you'll find Jesus!